Discussion forum now displays threads in a more conversational format
with user photos.

A statistics feature indicates the most popular
discussion topics in a community and provides insight into which users
are the most active participants. Important discussion topics can be
highlighted with the capability to pin them at the top of the forum.

The
new Wiki service allows designated users to create, view, edit and
contribute to content that is uploaded to the intranet-style
collaborative Web site. Offers automatic versioning and a "show changes" view.

Micro-blogging: allows users to
post status updates on tasks they are working on.

A new message board feature offers a place on a user's
profile page where colleagues can post messages and comment on status
updates.

New, Web-based file sharing library for
users to easily upload and securely share content such as presentations
and documents.

New integrated mobile support for iPhone and
Nokia S60 devices allows access to the Lotus Connections Profiles,
Activities and Blog services

Lotus Software GM Bob Picciano has grown tired of the "hot wind" blowing out of Redmond carrying claims that Exchange is displacing Notes and is singling out CEO Steve Ballmer and COO Kevin Turner as the main culprits spreading
"ridiculous and fabricated" information

AND this training of Linux vs Windows 7 for Best Buy employees (see my previous blog entry on this)..

"Inaccurate statements include the assertion that Linux vendors offer no authorized support, and that iPod
or video chat support is not available on Linux. One particularly
laughable statement is that Linux is not as secure as Windows 7." http://www.desktoplinux.com/news/NS3377584759.html

All of this, after acknowledging their worries of Linux - Canonical, Red Hat as well as Netbooks in their SEC filing...

US Bank, is getting their 58,000 users upgrade to the latest Lotus Notes Domino 8.5. Moreover, this bank, who had more than 5000 siloed Sharepoint sites, is adopting Lotus Quickr and Lotus Connections software in addition to Lotus Sametime that is already in use. Working smarter together...

"Our industry has undergone unprecedented changes over the last year,
and that serves as great example of why it's so important for U.S.
Bank's employees to be able to use technology to communicate and
collaborate efficiently," said Mark Dickelman, senior vice president,
innovation, research and development for U.S. Bank. "Keeping up with
economic developments and policy changes and the need to quickly
communicate while innovating for growth would be nearly impossible with
traditional methods, and that's why Lotus collaboration software will
continue to be incredibly useful to us, especially as we continue to
solidify our company's position as a leader in the financial services
industry."

Makes lots of sense, given the recent TCO math (see my previous blog entries) that shows a reduction in TCO by more than 37% if you adopt IBM Lotus collaboration software rather than Microsoft sharepoint, and office communications server.

"I’d like to personally invite you to join me tomorrow for a global discussion on how to create a smarter, more productive work environment. Forward-thinking IBM customers, expert thought leaders from around the world, and top IBM executives will be sharing ideas and setting direction for future investment. I would appreciate your adding your voice to the conversation. Please take a moment right now to register here https://www.collaborationjam.com/minijam2/jam/registration/index.do?jamId=1746